Segmented Pyrotechnic Safety Device Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing firing safety devices for pyrotechnic devices are bulky and heavy, with springs losing mechanical reliability over time and electric motors being inefficient and difficult to integrate, while existing solutions do not effectively reduce device size or mass while maintaining reliability.

Innovation Solution

A firing safety device with radially moving screen elements, utilizing shape-matching profiles and micro-machined or micro-engraved parts, allowing for reduced stroke and size through segmented screen design and MEMS technology, enabling efficient and reliable operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional springs or electric motors are used to move the screen, then the screen can be moved from safety to armed position, but the device becomes bulky, heavy, and unreliable over time

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidmass
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The screen is divided into multiple segments that can move independently relative to each other. Each segment can be positioned to either block or allow passage of the pyrotechnic effect, eliminating the need for a single large motor while achieving the same safety function with reduced mass and improved reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The screen segments are designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing them to move between safety and armed positions. This dynamic configuration enables the system to achieve reliable pyrotechnic chain interruption without requiring oversized static components or powerful motors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the screen is made massive to ensure interruption of the pyrotechnic chain, then reliability is improved, but device size and mass increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepyrotechnic chain interruptionVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single massive screen, the invention employs multiple smaller screen segments. These segments collectively provide reliable pyrotechnic chain interruption through their combined positioning, allowing the device to maintain safety functionality while significantly reducing overall size and mass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple screen segments work together in combination to achieve the pyrotechnic chain interruption function. By merging the blocking capability of several smaller segments, the system achieves the same reliability as a single large screen but with reduced dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If powerful motor means are used to move the screen, then the screen can be actuated reliably, but the device becomes more complex and requires more energy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen actuationVSAvoidmotor means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuation system is segmented into multiple independent actuators, each controlling a screen segment. This segmentation allows for simpler, less powerful individual actuators compared to a single powerful motor, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable screen actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a single motor with excessive power to move the entire screen, the system applies partial action through multiple smaller actuators that each move individual segments. This approach reduces the power requirement for each actuator and simplifies the overall motor means while achieving complete screen actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP1780495B1Small-sized pyrothechnic safety device.
Publication Date: 2009.06.10 NEXTER MUNITIONS SA
  • EP1780495B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1780495B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3b
  • EP1780495B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5

AI summary

A safety device for igniting a pyrotechnic device, comprising a channel (7) between an igniter (6) and a pyrotechnic charge (5, 5a), comprises a screen consisting of several elements (8a, 8b) that can be moved relative to each other by motors (11) between a safety position in which the channel is blocked and an armed position in which the channel is unblocked. None of the screen elements can block the channel on its own.